Traveling wave ion mobility spectrometers (TW IMS) operate at significantly higher fields than drift tube ion mobility spectrometers. Here we measured the fragmentation of the fragile p-methoxybenzylpyridinium ion inside the TW ion mobility cell of the first-generation SYNAPT HDMS spectrometer. The ion’s vibrational internal energy was quantified by a vibrational effective temperature Teff,vib, which is the mean temperature of the ions inside the cell that would result in the same fragmentation yield as observed experimentally. Significant fragmentation of the probe ion inside the TW IMS cell was detected, indicating that field heating of the ions takes place in TW IMS. For typical small molecule IMS conditions, Teff,vib = 555 ± 2 K. The variations of the effective temperature were studied as a function of the IMS parameters, and we found that Teff,vib decreases when the wave height decreases, when the pressure increases, or when the wave speed increases. The energy transfer efficiency of argon is higher than for He, N2 or CO2. Teff,vib being directly related to the ion speed inside the TW IMS, our results also provide new insight on the ion movement in TW IMS. We also discuss the influence of field heating of ions for calibration and structural studies in TW IMS. [less ▲]

A patient with Jo-1 antibody-associated polymyositis (Jo-1 PM) had a Karnofsky score of 40% and severe muscle, liver and lung damage that was refractory to standard therapy. The female patient received an ... [more ▼]

A patient with Jo-1 antibody-associated polymyositis (Jo-1 PM) had a Karnofsky score of 40% and severe muscle, liver and lung damage that was refractory to standard therapy. The female patient received an autologous T-cell-depleted haematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) after myeloablative conditioning. The transplant procedure was complicated by severe adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and adenovirus-associated haemorrhagic cystitis as well as cytomegalovirus (CMV) reactivation. The patient's creatinine phosphokinase (CPK) and alanine transaminase (ALT) values were normal on day 21. The patient's strength has improved remarkably and her dyspnoea is subjectively improved. At 15 months after the transplant, the patient was well with a Karnofsky score of 80% and had been off any therapy, including steroids, for 14 months. [less ▲]

Background and study aims : Large international clinical trials conducted in the past 5 years rapidly improved the treatment of chronic hepatitis C; however, it is unclear whether the advances seen in ... [more ▼]

Background and study aims : Large international clinical trials conducted in the past 5 years rapidly improved the treatment of chronic hepatitis C; however, it is unclear whether the advances seen in clinical trials are being paralleled by similar improvements in routine clinical practice. PegIntrust is a Belgian community based trial evaluating the sustained virological response. Patients and Methods : Observational study of 219 patients receiving pegylated interferon alfa-2b (1.5 μg/kg/wk) and weight-based ribavirin (800-1200 mg/day) for 48 weeks. Primary study end point was sustained virological response (SVR), defined as undetectable HCV RNA 6 months after the completion of treatment. Results : In total, 108 patients (49.3 %) had undetectable HCV RNA at the end of therapy, 91 (41.6%) attaining SVR. Of the 111 patients without an end-of-treatment response, 28 were non-responders, and 21 had virological breakthrough. In total, 134 patients attained early virological response (EVR); 88 (65.7%) of those patients attained SVR. In contrast, 82 (96.5 %) of the 85 patients who did not attain EVR also did not attain SVR. Age, fibrosis score and baseline viral load were identified as important predictors of treatment outcome. The most frequently reported serious adverse events resulting in treatment discontinuation were anemia (n = 10), fatigue/asthenia/malaise (n = 6) and fever (n = 3). Conclusion : Our data indicate that treatment of chronic hepatitis C with PEG-IFN alfa-2b plus weight-based ribavirin results in favourable treatment outcomes in a Belgian cohort of patients treated in community- based clinical practice. [less ▲]

Objectives: To evaluate the efficacy of a semi-intensive multidisciplinary outpatient program complying with the requirements of the Belgian National Institute for Health and Disability Insurance and ... [more ▼]

Objectives: To evaluate the efficacy of a semi-intensive multidisciplinary outpatient program complying with the requirements of the Belgian National Institute for Health and Disability Insurance and intended for patients with chronic low back pain. Methods: Weincluded 262 patients with nonspecific chronic low back pain, amongwhom136 (73women and 63 men) with a mean pain duration of 11.3 years completed the outpatient program (36 sessions each lasting 2 h). The program consisted of education about back-sparing techniques, interventions by an occupational therapist and psychologist, and physical reconditioning. Three sessions (sessions 1, 18, and 36) were used to evaluate pain intensity, functional impairment, kinesiophobia, cognitive knowledge, knowledge of appropriate spinal movement technique, and physical performance (trunk muscle strength and endurance, mobility of the pelvis and lumbar spine, and aerobic capacity). Results: All study variables were significantly improved at study completion compared to baseline: pain intensity was decreased by 44%, functional impairment by 40%, and kinesiophobia by 11% whereas knowledge was improved by 59%, back-sparing technique by 95%, trunk muscle strength by 40% on average, trunk extensor muscle endurance by 90%, mobility by 8%, and aerobic capacity by 18%. Conclusions: A semi-intensive multidisciplinary outpatient program was beneficial in patients with chronic low back pain. Careful patient selection and increased patient involvement in the program may help to improve adherence. [less ▲]

STUDY OBJECTIVES: To assess the effects of an Acute Pain Service (APS) inception on postoperative pain management in a general teaching hospital using pain indicators as performance measures. DESIGN: Open ... [more ▼]

STUDY OBJECTIVES: To assess the effects of an Acute Pain Service (APS) inception on postoperative pain management in a general teaching hospital using pain indicators as performance measures. DESIGN: Open, prospective, nonrandomized, observational study. SETTING: Postanesthesia Care Unit, surgical wards of University Hospital Center of Charleroi. PATIENTS: 1304 patients in the pre-APS inception phase and 671 patients after its implemention who have undergone various types of surgery (orthopedics, gynecology, urology, neurosurgery, stomatology, ear, nose, and throat, ophthalmic, abdominal, vascular-thoracic, plastic, and maxillofacial). INTERVENTIONS: An APS, nurse-based, anesthesiologist-supervised model was devised, based on the concept that postoperative pain relief can be greatly improved by providing in-service training for surgical nursing staff and optimal use of systemic analgesics. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Postoperative pain was assessed using a visual analog scale (VAS) every 4 hours for 72 hours in the two phases. Analgesic consumption was registered at the same time. Time-related VAS scores were summarized using several pain indicators. There was an overall improvement in the pain scores after APS inception. The differences were most pronounced, around 50%, in patients undergoing vascular, maxillofacial, gynecologic, and urologic surgeries, and stomatology. Regular administration of paracetamol and nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs decreased morphine consumption in the second phase. CONCLUSION: This study validates the benefits of a formal APS, using continuous monitoring of rest pain intensity and analgesic consumption in the postoperative period. Results not only support previous research findings but also offer outcome-based tools to evaluate current practices as compared with desired outcomes. [less ▲]

A field study was initiated in February 1996 in a remote sandy beach of The Grande Terre (Kerguelen Archipelago, 69degrees 42' E, 49degrees 19' S) with the objective of determining the long-term effects ... [more ▼]

A field study was initiated in February 1996 in a remote sandy beach of The Grande Terre (Kerguelen Archipelago, 69degrees 42' E, 49degrees 19' S) with the objective of determining the long-term effects of some bioremediation agents on the biodegradation rate and the toxicity of oil residues under severe subantarctic conditions. A series of 10 experimental plots were settled firmly into sediment. Each plot received 2L of Arabian light crude oil and some of them were treated with bioremediation agents: slow release fertilizer Inipol EAP-22 (Elf Atochem) or fish composts. Plots were sampled on a regular basis over a 3-year period. A two-order of magnitude increase of saprophytic and hydrocarbon-utilizing microorganisms occurred during the first month of the experiment in all treated enclosures, but no clear differences appeared between the plots. Very high microbial populations were present during the experiment. Biodegradation within treated spots was faster than within the untreated ones and appeared almost complete after 6 months as indicated by the degradation index of aliphatic hydrocarbons within all plots. The analysis of interstitial water collected below the oily residues presented no toxicity. However, a high toxicity signal, using Microtox solid phase, appeared for all oiled sand samples with a noticeable reduction with time even if the toxicity signal remained present and strong after 311 days of oil exposition. As a conclusion, it is clear that the microbial response was rapid and efficient in spite of the severe weather conditions, and the rate of degradation was improved in presence of bioremediation agents. However, the remaining residues had a relatively high toxicity. [less ▲]

Copolymers of 2-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate (DMAEMA) and sodium methacrylate (MANa) have been synthesized and tested as dispersants for the aqueous dispersion of titanium dioxide (80 wt.% solid ... [more ▼]

Copolymers of 2-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate (DMAEMA) and sodium methacrylate (MANa) have been synthesized and tested as dispersants for the aqueous dispersion of titanium dioxide (80 wt.% solid). The molecular composition of the block copolymers has an effect on the dispersion stability. Triblock copolymers consisting of PMANa outer blocks are unable to stabilize the dispersion. Triblock copolymers of the reverse structure form poorly stable dispersions due to at least partial particle bridging. In the case of non-blocky distribution of the DMAEMA and MANa comonomers in the chains, the stabilization capability is lost. A decrease in the anchoring strength of the diblocks has a deleterious effect on the dispersion stability. Finally, the surface coverage depends on the availability of free copolymer chains (unimers) coexisting with micelles. These trends have been confirmed in a fully formulated paint containing Cu-phthalocyanine pigment. [less ▲]

Aims: To study the effectiveness of a combination of cell-adsorbed bacteriocin (CAB; a suspension of producer cells on which maximum bacteriocin has been immobilized by pH adjustments) of a Lactobacillus ... [more ▼]

Aims: To study the effectiveness of a combination of cell-adsorbed bacteriocin (CAB; a suspension of producer cells on which maximum bacteriocin has been immobilized by pH adjustments) of a Lactobacillus curvatus strain with oregano or savory essential oil to control Listeria monocytogenes in pork meat at 4 C. [less ▲]

Aspirin is commonly used to treat migraine attacks, although sumatriptan, a much more expensive treatment, is also effective. We compared a combination of lysine acetylsalicylate (equivalent to 900 mg ... [more ▼]

Aspirin is commonly used to treat migraine attacks, although sumatriptan, a much more expensive treatment, is also effective. We compared a combination of lysine acetylsalicylate (equivalent to 900 mg aspirin) and 10 mg metoclopramide (LAS+MTC) with oral sumatriptan (100 mg) and placebo in 421 patients with migraine. LAS+MTC was as effective as sumatriptan with a decrease of headache from severe or moderate to mild or none of 57% and 53%, respectively, for the first migraine attack treated. Both treatments were better than placebo (success rate 24%, p < 0.0001). LAS+MTC was significantly more effective in the treatment of nausea than sumatriptan (p < 0.0001) and was better tolerated (adverse events in 18% and 28%, respectively, p < 0.05). LAS+MTC is as effective as sumatriptan in the treatment of migraine attacks. It is also much cheaper. [less ▲]

A deficit of mitochondrial energy metabolism may play a role in migraine pathogenesis. We found in a previous open study that high-dose riboflavin was effective in migraine prophylaxis. We now compared ... [more ▼]

A deficit of mitochondrial energy metabolism may play a role in migraine pathogenesis. We found in a previous open study that high-dose riboflavin was effective in migraine prophylaxis. We now compared riboflavin (400 mg) and placebo in 55 patients with migraine in a randomized trial of 3 months duration. Using an intention-to-treat analysis, riboflavin was superior to placebo in reducing attack frequency (p = 0.005) and headache days (p = 0.012). Regarding the latter, the proportion of patients who improved by at least 50%, i.e. "responders," was 15% for placebo and 59% for riboflavin (p = 0.002) and the number-needed-to-treat for effectiveness was 2.3. Three minor adverse events occurred, two in the riboflavin group (diarrhea and polyuria) and one in the placebo group (abdominal cramps). None was serious. Because of its high efficacy, excellent tolerability, and low cost, riboflavin is an interesting option for migraine prophylaxis and a candidate for a comparative trial with an established prophylactic drug. [less ▲]

OBJECTIVES: To examine how geriatric evaluation and management units (GEMUs) are organized and to examine the effectiveness of admission on a GEMU. DESIGN: Systematic review and meta-analysis based on ... [more ▼]

OBJECTIVES: To examine how geriatric evaluation and management units (GEMUs) are organized and to examine the effectiveness of admission on a GEMU. DESIGN: Systematic review and meta-analysis based on literature search of multiple databases and the references lists of all identified articles and by contacting authors. SETTING: GEMUs. PARTICIPANTS: Elderly people admitted to a GEMU. MEASUREMENTS: Quality of the studies was assessed on 10 criteria. The outcome parameters were mortality, institutionalization, functional decline, readmission, and length of stay at different follow-up points. A random-effects meta-analysis was performed using Hedges' gu and variance of relative risk (RR). RESULTS: GEMUs are organized in a heterogeneous way and the included studies gave no thorough description of comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA). Involvement of a multidisciplinary team was a key element in all GEMUs. The individual trials showed that admission to a GEMU has one or more favorable effects on the outcomes of interest, with two significant effects in the meta-analysis: less functional decline at discharge from the GEMU (RR=0.87, 95% confidence interval (CI)=0.77-0.99; P=.04) and a lower rate of institutionalization 1 year after discharge (RR=0.78, CI=0.66-0.92; P=.003). For the other outcomes in the meta-analysis, a GEMU did not induce significantly different outcomes than usual care. CONCLUSION: This meta-analysis shows a significant effect in favor of the GEMU group on functional decline at discharge and on institutionalization after 1 year. There is heterogeneity between the studies, poor quality of some randomized controlled trials, and shortage of information about CGA. Multidisciplinary CGA offered in a GEMU may add value to the care for frail older persons admitted to the hospital, but the limitations confirm the need for well-designed studies using explicit CGA and more-structured and -coherent assessment instruments such as the Minimum Data Set Resident Assessment Instrument. [less ▲]